News briefs for June 20

Almost 3,000 acres of a scenic ridge and valuable wildlife habitat will remain unchanged thanks to a recently completed conservation deal.The Nature Conservancy last week closed on conservation easements protecting from development 1,280 acres of the Wolf Mountain Ranch northeast of Hayden."It's really exciting," said Ann Oliver, Yampa River Project coordinator for The Nature Conservancy. "We're just thrilled so many public and private folks came together to make it happen."Great Outdoors Colorado, the Routt County Purchase of Development Rights Program, the Colorado Conservation Trust and individuals provided about $1.5 million needed for the project.Those funds matched and leveraged contributions from the landowner, Pirtlaw Partners LLT.The protected portion of the 22,000-acre ranch includes most of the ridge north of the Yampa River across from the Carpenter Ranch. The ridge, which greets visitors at Yampa Valley Regional Airport and drivers passing through Mount Harris Canyon, has important scenic value, Oliver said.

Memorial fund createdto help Gotwald familyA memorial fund has been established at Bank of the West in memory of Kenny Gotwald. Proceeds from the fund will benefit Gotwald's children, Rachel and Mikie. Call Earlita Ross at 824-0365.

Slow down whiledriving in work zonesThe Colorado Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Colorado State Patrol to increase enforcement in highway work zones for the duration of the summer.The increased enforcement is part of the Slow for the Cone Zone campaign which is designed to eliminate unsafe driving practices and reduce fatalities in construction and maintenance work zones.Last year's Slow for the Cone Zone overtime resulted in 1,839 citations. Thirteen were for DUI, while more than 1,300 were written for "hazardous violations," which include unsafe driving practices such as speeding, ignoring traffic control devices and improper lane changes.Work zone safety enforcement activities will be increased in the following Western Slope road areas: I-70 through the No Name Tunnel and I-70 between Rifle and Silt.

Preservation group seeks endangered sitesColorado Preservation Inc. is seeking information on Colorado's most-endangered places. The Denver-based historical preservation society is compiling a list of the most endangered buildings and neighborhoods in the state.Sites that make the list will receive statewide publicity and technical assistance from Colorado Preservation.Deadline for submission is Aug. 1. For a nomination form, visit www.coloradopreservation.org or call (303) 893-4260.

Hayden seeks vendors for annual SummerfestThe Hayden Recreation Board is seeking vendors of arts, crafts, kids items, garden items, etc. for the fourth annual Hayden Valley Summerfest, to be held July 2.Vendors must have or apply for a Colorado state Sales Tax License and a Hayden Sales Tax License. If interested, call Lindsay at 276-3741.

Nominations wanted for USDA committeeThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting nominations for members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.The 20-member committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on ways to encourage federal and state programs to provide financing and new opportunities for new farmers and ranchers. Appointments are for two-year terms. Members are not paid.To qualify, members must be farmers or ranchers or belong to one of the following groups: USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), state or private nonprofits with beginning farmer or ranchers programs, commercial lenders, the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, educational institutions with experience in training beginning farmers or ranchers and other groups providing lending or technical assistance to beginning farmers or ranchers.